1 Answer from Attorneys

Maryland does not recognize legal separation; you are either divorced or married. Rather than legal separation a limited divorce may apply in Maryland, and this may or may not be applicable to your situation.

An absolute divorce is final and one of the grounds is a period of one year of voluntary separation without sexual intercourse and where neither party contests this basis of the divorce. This can be filed only after a period of one year of separation has occurred. The court usually wants a separation agreement which resolves the marital dispute.